Key Highlights:
- Over 100 track variations confirmed for Mario Kart World.
- 32 named courses revealed, mixing new and classic designs.
- Launches June 5 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
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When Mario Kart World releases on June 5th, it won’t just introduce a new collection of tracks, it’s reimagining what a track even is.
In a four-part pre-launch interview, producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that the game features more than 100 course variations, thanks to its open-world structure and interconnecting terrain zones.
This is not just the largest Mario Kart yet – it’s the most dynamic.
The classic Grand Prix layout remains, but now players can race between and across race tracks, thanks to the open-world layout.
According to Yabuki, the lines between courses blur as racers traverse terrain previously reserved for scenery.
This world design approach expands playable space dramatically. Each variation, be it a change in route, weather, time of day, or traversal method – counts as a unique race experience.
Rather than simply bolting on more tracks, Nintendo has layered verticality, free-roam transitions, and contextual hazards throughout the world. With vehicles capable of driving, flying, and gliding on demand, the once-linear courses are now just one of many ways to reach the finish line.
Mario Kart World Confirmed Courses
Nintendo has revealed 32 distinct tracks at launch. These include modern remakes, returning fan favourites, and entirely new circuits that show off Mario Kart World’s ambitious design direction.
The full list include:
Mushroom Cup
- Mario Bros. Circuit
- Crown City
- Whistlestop Summit
- DK Spaceport
Flower Cup
- Desert Hills (Mario Kart DS)
- Shy Guy Bazaar (Mario Kart 7)
- Wario Stadium (Mario Kart 64)
- Airship Fortress (Mario Kart DS)
Star Cup
- DK Pass (Mario Kart DS)
- Starview Peak
- Sky-High Sundae (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass)
- Wario Shipyard (Mario Kart 7)
Shell Cup
- Koopa Troopa Beach (Super Mario Kart)
- Faraway Oasis
- Crown City 2
- Peach Stadium
Banana Cup
- Peach Beach (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)
- Salty Salty Speedway
- Dino Dino Jungle (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)
- Great ? Block Ruins
Leaf Cup
- Cheep Cheep Falls
- Dandelion Depths
- Boo Cinema
- Dry Bones Burnout
Lightning Cup
- Moo Moo Meadows (Mario Kart Wii)
- Choco Mountain (Mario Kart 64)
- Toad’s Factory (Mario Kart Wii)
- Bowser’s Castle
Special Cup
- Acorn Heights
- Mario Circuit (Super Mario Kart)
- Peach Stadium 2
- Rainbow Road (Unlockable after completing all Grand Prix cups)
This lineup showcases a blend of nostalgia and innovation, with reimagined classics and fresh tracks designed to leverage the game’s new open-world mechanics.
Notably, Mario Kart World introduces dynamic weather conditions and a day-night cycle, enhancing the racing experience across these diverse courses.
Rainbow Road remains a mystery, teased only briefly with no visuals shown. Its reveal is likely being saved for a dramatic finale.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s technical capabilities have allowed for far more than just graphical upgrades.
Terrain morphing, seamless travel between courses, and greater player freedom in exploration all redefine what a kart track can be. Audio design and visual fidelity have also expanded. Dynamic weather, real-time shadows, and multi-layered background animations add depth to races.
Expect to see crowds that react to your wins, terrain that changes based on your route, and set pieces, like Dry Bones Burnout’s lava lakes – that evolve throughout the race.
The multiplayer potential of these variations is significant.
With up to 24 players and a map structure that allows for non-linear routing, players can now strategise based on position, item loadout, and terrain familiarity.
Some routes will reward gliders, others will favour heavyweights who can brute-force shortcuts. And with dynamic elements like moving trains, NPC animals, or real-time flooding, course memorisation alone won’t guarantee victory.
Nintendo has introduced a level of scale and complexity never seen before in the series.
With over 100 variations and dozens of new and returning tracks, the game promises lasting variety without losing its identity.
Come June 5th, Switch 2 players will find themselves not just racing, but exploring, experimenting, and adapting in a Mario Kart experience that redefines what a racetrack can be.